proceedings national policy workshop through webinar on ... upload/webinar... · proceedings....

ProceedingsNational Policy Workshop

through Webinar on Riverine and Marine Plastic Litter in India

12th May, 2020 | 14:30 – 17:30 hrs

WEBINAR 1The Science, Technology of Plastics &

Techniques/Best Practices of Plastics Pollution Assessment and Investigation

WEBINAR 1

Proceeding

The Science and Technology of Plastics & Techniques/Best Practices of

Plastics Pollution Assessment and Investigation

12 May 2020 │14:30 - 17:30 hrs

Moderator Coordinator

Mr. SP Chandak, Former Deputy Director, UNEP & Professor Emeritus, BIMTECH

Dr. Harsh Thukral, Deputy Director, NPC

INTRODUCTION

In the plastic age we are in, if plastics are not reorganized and redesigned to be maintained in

a circular loop or properly managed at their end-of-life, they will find their way into the

environment, a phenomenon called leakage. To increase e plastic material circularity, leakage

of plastic from the human technosphere must be reduced, and ultimately prevented. To

effectively control the plastic waste litter, stakeholders must be able to identify and detect the

leaks at different points in the plastic value chain and initiate appropriate control measures.

Plastics enter the environment by one of two core streams: visible macro-plastics mainly

from mismanaged waste, and a significant quantum as invisible primary micro-plastics.

Currently there is a need to standardise methodology to perform plastic leakage assessments.

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

The session highlighted the science and technology features of polymers and plastics and the

growing consumption aspects and generation of plastic waste including from single use

plastics. Further, the initiatives in plastic waste assessment, including macroplastics and

microplastics as undertaken by various institutions such as Ministry of Earth Science,

National Institute of Oceanography, CIPET and the researchers was deliberated to reflect on

the concerns of land based hotspots and problem of riverine and marine litter and their

impacts as well as on methodologies adopted for the analyses undertaken. The session

further highlighted insights from clean up initiatives in four cities as part of UNEP project.

Further, the discussions led to exploring and identify gaps in plastic waste assessment

(including plastics in airborne dust, tap water / RO water studies etc) that could be taken up

for new projects.

WEBINAR 1 AGENDA

Time (hrs) Theme/Topic Speaker

14:30 – 14:40 Introduction of the Counter Measure

Project

Ms. Saloni Goel, UNEP

National Policy Workshop Webinar Series on

“Countermeasures for Riverine and Marine Plastic Litter in India”

Time (hrs) Theme/Topic Speaker

14:40- 15:00 Understanding Plastics for their utility and

environmentally safe handling”

Dr. Vijay G. Habbu, Adjunct

Professor, Institute of

Chemical Technology (ICT)

15:00 – 15:15 Problem of Marine Litter and Initiatives by

MoES regarding Plastic Pollution

Assessment

Dr. Pravakar Mishra,

Scientist ‘F’, NCCR, MoES

15:15 – 15:30 Plastics Consumption and Disposal-

Methodology for Waste Plastics

Assessment in India

Dr. Smita Mohanty,

Director, CIPET

15:30 – 15:45 Methodology for Micro-plastic Assessments

in Rivers & Oceans

Dr. Mahua Saha,

NIO

15:45 – 16:00 Approach of Sampling & Analysis in

Sediments of River Ganga

Dr. Basanta Kumar Das

Director, CIFRI

16:00 – 16:15 Methodology for Macro-plastic

Assessments in four Cities, India

Dr. Harsh Thukral,

Deputy Director, NPC

16:15 – 17:00 Panel Discussion:

Recommendations for Plastic Waste

Assessment Methodology and need for

standardization and compilation of best

practices followed in India.

Questions and Answers

Additional Panel Members:

Ms. Saloni Goel, UNEP

Dr. D.D. Kale, Former Prof.

UDCT

Mr. K.D. Bhardwaj, NPC

Mr. Amit Jain, IRG System

South Asia

Dr. Shuklapal Maitra, NPC

The webinar was attended by 700 plus participants as located across 12 countries. The

participants were from across various sectors (public / private organizations, civil society,

academia, and from across a range of national and multilateral institutions such as UN

Organisations and the World Bank). The Webinar has been highly appreciated by participants

and is attracting attention from a wide range of stakeholders. The participant profile details

are depicted in Figure 1.



6%

24%

26%

42%

2%

Figure 1: Participant Profile

International Organisation Govt Department & Public Organisation

Private Organisation & Industrial Association Academia

Civil Society

WEBINAR PROCEEDINGS

The session was opened by the coordinator Dr. Harsh Thukral, Deputy Director, NPC, who

welcomed the Moderator, all the resource speakers, panelists and attendees / participants on

behalf of NPC and introduced the moderator of the session, Mr. SP Chandak, former Deputy

Director, UNEP & Professor Emeritus, BIMTECH. The broad features of the UNEP – NPC

project on identifying countermeasures for riverine marine plastic litter was also introduced

to the participants.

Mr. Chandak thanked the organizers and appreciated the idea of the virtual National Policy

workshop, and highlighted that in this way, we are able to control the carbon footprint, which

would have been generated otherwise. He shared his perspectives on the webinar theme and

thereafter opened the forum for the resource speakers.

PRESENTATION 1:

Introduction of the Counter Measure Project by Ms. Saloni Goel, UNEP

The first presentation by Ms. Saloni Goel, UNEP reflected on the aspects of the counter

measure project in India, the 4 cities which were chosen for detailed study (namely Agra,

Haruidwar, Allahabad/Prayagraj and Mumbai) and the approach which was adopted during

Dr. Harsh Thukral Mr. SP Chandak



the execution of the project. She spoke about how the primary data and secondary date were

collated and with the help of fuzzy logic, a plastic leakage scenario was developed for each of

the 4 cities and further it was substantiated by ground truthing.

She further deeply acknowledged the efforts of the partner agencies in this project which

were engaged to carry out the perception survey studies and outreach activities as

undertaken by M/s Chintan (at Agra), teri (at Mumbai) and Development Alternatives (at

Haridwar and Prayagraj). She also acknowledged the funding agency, Government of Japan,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other UNEP initiatives on Marine Litter, like the Indo-Norway

Marine Pollution Initiative, Tide Turner Challenge, and Un-Plastics Collective.

She highlighted that the outreach activities carried out under this project enabled the

engagement of communities and students in the promotion of counter measures. She even



quoted an epic example of how the outreach activity created awareness amongst boatmen

and they had now started keeping garbage bins in their boats to control littering of waste.

She concluded her presentation with need for attention to the following:

• Circularity needs to be strengthened- to reduce entry of virgin plastics in plastic value

chain and leakage of plastic waste

• Plastic bans need to cover both production and use. Additionally, they need to be

strengthened with robust regulatory and monitoring capacity. Good practices need to

be documented and disseminated.

• Incentivise investment in development of alternatives.

• Strengthen incentives and mechanisms for collection of plastic waste for integration

into a value chain- EPR, Deposit Refund Schemes, Garbage Cafes, Kiosks (providing

mobile recharge facility) etc.

• Emphasis and incentives for innovative product design to support recyclability- easy

dismantling, replaceable/changeable parts for enhanced life, alternatives to hazardous

additives, compostable/re-useable/recyleable product packaging.

• Effective waste management infrastructure (littering @ 10-25% found to be

significant culprit for plastic leakage).

• Civil society led clean-ups.

• Regular monitoring and evaluation network to inform local, national and regional

action.

Further Madam Saloni enumerated key project outputs & outcomes as follows.

• Region Based Approach for mapping plastic leakage hotspots

• Ground data on plastic waste generation and disposal

• Leakage Scenarios and Countermeasures

• Research and technical capacity for extension in other regions

• Partnerships and capacity for sustained action

• Outreach material in English, Vernacular Languages, Braille- video, audio, written

• Recommendations for policy

PRESENTATION 2:

Understanding plastics for their utility and environmentally safe handling by Dr. Vijay

G. Habbu, Adjunct Professor, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT)

The second presentation was undertaken by Dr. Vijay G. Habbu, Adjunct Professor, Institute

of Chemical Technology (ICT). Dr Habbu gave insights on the science and polymer component

of plastic and emphasized on how there has been fascinating evolution of synthetic plastics

over the past 110 years. He discussed about Polymer Identification Codes and various

categories of plastics being utilized by us in our day to day lives. He also deliberated on the

Plastic Articles Manufacturing Process and Growth in Global Plastics Production. It was

highlighted that plastics have numerous advantages ranging from light weight, durability,



insulation, versatility to cost effectiveness and that plastics have no functional equivalents. He

differentiated rigid packaging and flexible packaging varieties and key polymers that are used

including mono-polymer based, multi-polymer based and multi-material based packaging.

He noted that inspite of abundant advantages, the visibility of its litter is out screaming the

superiority of its eco-footprint. Dr. Habbu further explained about the EPR perspective of

Plastics litter management and Plastics life-chain. He also explained how the Market for

recycling plastics in India has emerged and highlighted examples of products made from

recycled plastics. He acknowledged that there is enhanced focus on microplastics which has

emerged as a new challenge when it comes to plastic pollution.

Towards the end of presentation, Dr. Habbu flashed how plastic is in the service of Nation in

the times of COVID-19, by means of use in relief & rescue work and several PPEs which are

being utilized by millions of doctors, health care staff, sanitary workers and even general

public.

His key recommendations for handling plastic specified the multi-pronged approach by the :

• Government/ Administration: in education, awareness, infrastructure, enforcement

and policy formulation

• Citizens: in source segregation, reduce and reuse

• Industry: innovative design for collectability, recycling, prevention of litter generation

etc.

PRESENTATION 3:

Problem of Marine Litter and Initiatives by MoES regarding Plastic Pollution

Assessment by Dr. Pravakar Mishra,Scientist ‘F’, National Center for coastal research

(NCCR), MoES

The third presentation was delivered by Dr. Pravakar Mishra,Scientist ‘F’, National Center for

coastal research (NCCR), MoES. He began with the Scale of Plastic Problem in India and

particularly how marine plastics pollution has reached at its crisis levels.



He described about the MoES program on Marine Litter & Micro plastics comprising of :

• Sources, Fate of plastic ; Quantification & Modelling

• Impact of plastic pollution on marine eco-systems

• Micro-plastics and health- Toxicity – Food chain

• Social and behavioral change / Awareness campaign

• Design and testing interventions

• Re-designing of the single use of plastics

He elaborated on Studies carried out so far along Indian coast and Marine litter along the

Indian beaches and state wise composition of marine litter in India. Further he gave insights

on tools and techniques for Water sample collection & Processing for microplastics, Sediment

collection & Processing for microplastics. He also discussed about microplastics in coastal

waters and in commercial fish species

Finally he gave A few key recommendations pertaining to

• Development of a National Marine Litter policy

• Segregation of the wastes at source

• Responsibility should be of the manufacturer / seller to recycle the used plastic

products from the consumers

• Adoption of beaches for regular monitoring

• Deployment of low cost traps in rivers, creeks, canals - Cleaning and monitoring

activities.

• Introduction of bio-degradable materials

• Exploring opportunities and benefits of shifting to a circular plastic economy.



PRESENTATION 4:

Plastics Consumption and Disposal-Methodology for Waste Plastics Assessment in

India by Dr. Smita Mohanty, Director, CIPET

The fourth presentation was delivered by Dr. Smita Mohanty, Director, CIPET. She began with

the statistics related to the plastic consumption in India and tagged the plastic products

demand growth drivers in India wrt Agriculture, Infrastructure, Packaging industry ,

automotive appliances, medical & personal care etc.

She also delved on the statistics of plastic waste generation in India, the quantity of which is

collected and the uncollected. Dr. Mohanty further shared details about categorisation of

single use plastic products and careful assessment of their impact and concerns. She gave

insights about innovative and collaborative approach to address the challenges of single use

plastic systematically adhering to the waste management hierarchy. She briefly touched upon

the recycling process and techniques adopted in India, comprising of collection, sorting,

shredding, cleaning, melting and reusing.

Dr. Mohanty elaborated on the aspects of value addition of recycled plastic packaging

material in India and economic aspect of recycling in India. She highlighted the facets of

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and significance of Design for Environment,

Resource Security and about Sharing and Transfer of the responsibility/cost of collection &

disposal.



PRESENTATION 5:

Methodology for Micro-Plastic Assessments in Rivers & Oceans and Constraints by

Dr. Mahua Saha, Sr. Scientist, NIO

The fifth session was taken up by Dr. Mahua Saha, Senior Scientist, Chemical Oceanography

Division (COD), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).

She discussed about the sampling methodology undertaken during the conduct of her study

as part of the project with NPC and UNEP, and also shared the details of quantification and

characterization of micro plastic waste samples collected. She presented the findings and

results of the micro plastic sampling and assessment undertaken by NIO at 6 locations under

this project, in the river basins of Ganga, Yamuna in Agra and Prayagraj. She indicated that

over 30 types of polymers were detected in a sample of microplastics samples from one of the

river stretches.

She elaborated on the challenges faced in the process of surface water sampling and

corrective measures to be taken.

PRESENTATION 6:

Approach of Sampling & Analysis in Sediments of River Ganga by Dr. Basanta Kumar

Das, Director, CIFRI

The sixth presentation of session 1 was given by Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, Central

Inland and Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI). He delved on plastics transport to rivers,

plastic transformation in aquatic bodies and subsequently its effects on aquatic biota. He

reflected on estimates of Microplastics in the World in terms of river sediment, lacustrine

sediment, beach sediment and marine sediment.



The case of sediment sampling at river Ganga was explained by him in detail. He highlighted

how the Sediment sampling from Ganga was carried out and how the sampling locations were

frozen and the tools/ techniques used. He then presented on the methodology and key steps

of sieving, density separation and peroxide digestion involved in the Extraction of

Microplastics from the samples collected. The Findings of Microplastics found in River Ganga

was explained. The ATR-FT-IR spectrum of microplastics found from River Ganga was shown.

The quantification of Microplastics in Ganga was depicted in the presentation in terms of

mass fraction of plastics and no. of plastics per kg of sediment. The results were also

correlated with water pollution parameters like phosphate concentration of sediment and

water, and with BOD of water. His recommendations included :-

• Immediate measures to be taken to reduce plastic load in the Indian rivers

• Need of more comprehensive study on the plastic transport, fate and toxicity toward

life

• Need of extensive studies to asses microplastics contamination and their distribution

in Indian rivers, associated wetlands, lakes and others

• Need of Government support and more funding to execute the research activities in

this direction

PRESENTATION 7:

Methodology for Macro-plastic Assessments in four Cities, India by Dr. Harsh Thukral,

Deputy Director, NPC

The final presentation of the session was delivered by Dr. Harsh Thukral, Deputy Director,

NPC. He presented about the details of 19 clean up drives that were taken up by NPC for

Macro plastic sampling and assessment in 4 cities of India, with the help of partner agencies

and local volunteers. He elaborated on the protocols that were developed for carrying out the

clean up drives.



He emphasized that the Standard operating procedures were developed to structure the over

all clean up drive and define the step wise activities to be performed within a specific time

frame. Since the clean-up activities were executed with the help of local volunteers

comprising of representatives of partner agencies, local NGOs, sanitary workers etc., the SOP

helped in enabling the participants/volunteers of clean up group to acquaint with the

proceedings and accomplish the tasks. The procedure reflected on aspects of demarcation of

boundary for clean-up area, wearing of personal protective equipment, collection of mixed

waste, filling in gunny bags, labelling of gunny bags, segregation of plastic waste and weighing

of waste in two key stages, categorizing the plastic waste collected etc. The posters were

developed showcasing the various categories of plastic and non plastic waste to be collected

and segregated. The Do’s and Don’ts were also developed for the clean up drive.

Further, he explained about the trash data sheet that was maintained in all clean ups to

maintain the uniformity in reporting the categories of waste plastics found during clean ups.

The prominent product based plastic waste litter types found during Clean Ups in 4 cities was

highlighted by him besides the fact that about 53 varieties of plastic litter types were

identified during the 19 clean – up exercises.

He concluded the presentation indicating the way ahead in terms of Integrating primary data

based research and econometric studies of various focus areas with secondary data and data

obtained via IoT system / devices, Continual application of GIS tools and modeling

components for site selection and assessments and recording inputs for analysis, Assessment

needed at all nodes of waste disposal and reverse logistics chain and Encouraging FMCG

companies, manufacturers of plastics packagings and components and plastics products

producers, including brands, to engage in product composition declarations including for

plastics content



KEY QUESTIONS RAISED BY ATTENDEES / PARTICIPANTS

The session was concluded by answering of a series of questions by the speakers and

panellists that were put up by several participants in the workshop.

The nature of questions that were received and reflected upon by the speakers and panellists

is indicated in the set of questions below :-

1. If any protocols were available for finding microplastic in urban atmospheric dust ?

2. If any protocols were available for measuring microplastics in SPM and in fluvial

sediments in urban river

3. How can information about circular economy especially for plastics be disseminated

among citizens?

4. What are the chances of releasing of microplastics from recycled plastics based products

5. How can your research be utilised for making public more aware of the micro plastics-

whether any national dashboard on impact of microplastics for public data analytics exists

or planned ?

6. What methodology was adopted by CIPET for assessment of plastic waste in 60 cities in

India

7. What kind of polymers are found in Chips packets and what polymers are present in

Tobacco sachets

8. What are instruments, tools and technologies utilised by CIPET in undertaking plastic

waste assessment

9. What are the new initiatives NCCR is planning to undertake in order to assess and prevent

marine plastic litter?

10. Is RO drinking water having microplastics in it as used filtration media is made up of

Plastic fibre material? Etc...

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE WEBINAR 1

The sessions highlighted the following. (a) The importance of plastics and various polymers

and their applications in a vast spectrum of products, and the concern that humanity has an

instinct to discard especially single use plastics, and that there is a need to revisit the

behavioural approach to managing plastics including towards segregation (b) While all

plastics are not recyclable or most have limits to degrees of recyclability, there is a need to

have a system of well segregated plastic waste collection and recycling initiatives and that

suitable labeling of the polymer types could facilitate for products in the market including

value addition back to original products and for circular economy to be realised; (c) The need

to draft a national marine litter policy to control and manage the litter at the land boundary to

prevent from entering the marine environment; (d) The importance of a detailed material

balance of plastics production and consumption, and constructing a detailed leakage scenario;

(e) Attention to periodic and geographically dispersed macroplastics assessments including

the importance of polymer analysis at the plastic litter end; (f) Significance of comprehensive

studies and mapping of microplastics in River Ganga and all rivers and linking / correlating to

macroplastics in hotspots; (g) The development of a standardized methodology for clean-up

exercises for adoption (h) The application of various methods in the analysis and



identification of macro and microplastics and identifying polymers; (i) The deliberations

highlighted the methodology and framework adopted for the project, reflected on various

types of plastic litter identified in trash during clean – up studies in 4 cities and indicated the

efforts ongoing to develop a toolbox on plastic leakage scenario development and the need for

constructing a harmonized methodology.

ENCLOSURES

• Press Release (s)

• Programme Agenda

• Session Flyer

• Concept Notes

• Presentation by each resource speaker



proceedings national policy workshop through webinar on ... upload/webinar... · proceedings....

Documents